Only For Love (A Novella)

Only For Love - Chapter Eight

"Forgive the intrusion, my lord." Titus enter the library pause before the desk of his employer. 

"What is it, Titus?" Richard did not look up from the ledger he was reviewing. Across from his desk from him, Captain Hillard was waiting, "I told you I did not wish to be disturbed." 

"Yes, my lord, but there is a gentlemen here who insists on a meeting with you, right away." 

Exasperated, Richard glared at the butler, "Who is it?" 

"A Mr. Frank Young, from America." 

"He is here to see me?" 

"Yes, sir, his daughter has already gone up with the Lady Clara." 

"Very well." Richard closed the ledger and handed a bag of coins over to the captain, "Thank you, Captain, stop in the kitchen before you go on your way." 

When the captain was gone, the butler showed the giant American Blacksmith into the room, "Frank," Richard rounded the desk to shake the mans hand, "so glad you could make the journey from America." He waved a hand to the chair the captain had just vacated, and offered a glass of whiskey which the blacksmith accepted. 

Frank Young settled his massive frame into a small stuffed chair across from the desk. He wore a new, tailored suit, and new leather boots, "We are glad to be here." 

Richard returned to his chair behind the desk, and sipped his whiskey, "I picked a few bottles of this up during my trip to America," he commented, "I have come to acquire a taste for it." 

The big man downed his whiskey in one gulp, and sat the glass down on the edge of the desk, "I didn't come here to drink, Rich." 

"Very well," Richard sat his own glass on the desk, "What can I do for you, Frank?" 

Dark brown eyes stared across the table from the big man, "Clara has been like a second daughter to me since she and my daughter became friends when they were just little girls." 

"Clara is fond of you as well, I am sure." 

"The way I figure it, Rich, if some man were to try to force my Sarah into a marriage just so he can have a mama for his little ones..." Frank stood, shaking his head, "No, sir. That ain't right." 

Ignoring the big mans attempt at intimidation, Richard sat back in his chair, "What are you talking about, sir?" 

"I'm talking about you tricking Clara into marrying you, just so you will have a mama for them kids of yours." 

Richard held onto his temper, and rose, "Sir, I assure you, there was no trickery involved. Clara was given a choice..." 

"Bullshit!" Frank stepped up to the desk, keeping it between them, "You caught her when she was alone, and vulnerable right after her grandma died, and you used that against her." 

"I take exception to this, sir..." 

"Good." Frank growled in his deep voice, "You damn well should. Cause I'm telling you, sir, my gut reaction is to beat the bloody hell out of you, and take that girl home." He took a step towards the side of the desk, "But my daughter made me promise not to lay a hand on you." 

Richard released a breath he hadn't known he had been holding. He was physically fit, and regularly competed in pugilistic matches, but this man was much bigger than any he had seen in the ring, "I do not know what you have been told..." 

"What I've been told? You mean what Clara told my Sarah. Something about your word that you would send her home when she wanted to go, but that your ship wasn't available?" Frank snorted another laugh, "Does she know you have a dozen ships sailing around this world?"